HILLSBOROUGH CO., Florida -- The Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group, made up of county commissioners, the sheriff, and the mayors of all three cities, unanimously voted to declare a local state of emergency on Saturday.

Hillsborough County officials say they want to be prepared to take any necessary actions against the threat of heavy rains and high winds from Tropical Storm Isaac.

The declaration allows emergency officials to open shelters, request aid and resources, utilize emergency funding, and take protective actions, including calling for evacuations, emergency alerts, and shelter-in-place orders.